title: Current use of chelation in American health care.
abstract: The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that more than 100,000 Americans receive chelation each year, although far fewer than 1 % of these cases are managed by medical toxicologists. Unfortunately, fatalities have been reported after inappropriate chelation use. There are currently 11 FDA-approved chelators available by prescription although chelation products may also be obtained through compounding pharmacies and directly over the internet. Promotion of chelation training is prominent on some alternative and complementary medicine websites.
authors.affiliation: Southwestern School of Medicine, University of Texas, Dallas, TX, USA, paul.wax@me.com.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Wax
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015913:Chelation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002983:Clinical Competence; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D000075322:Heavy Metal Poisoning; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D019216:Metals, Heavy